Opening Ceremonies

32nd Annual Opening Ceremonies

No matter where you finish, Opening Ceremonies is the place to start! The Friday, July 14, 2017 Opening Ceremonies of the
32nd Annual Big Sky State Games, sponsored by Wendy’s, will be a colorful evening packed with exciting family entertainment!

Gates Open at Wendy’s Field at Daylis Stadium (Third & Grand) in Billings at 5:30pm.

PARKING IS LIMITED

2017 Special Guest and Torch Lighter

2017 Torch Lighter: Willie Banks

World record setter and three-time Olympic Triple Jumper (1980, 1984, 1988) Willie Banks is the special guest athlete of the 32nd
Annual Big Sky State Games Friday, July 14. He will speak and light the torch during Opening Ceremonies at Wendy’s Field at Daylis
Stadium in Billings.

Banks is one of the greatest triple jumpers ever produced by the United States. He had his best moment on June 16, 1985 when he set a
world record of 58’11 ½” at the National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. That was the highlight of a career that started in
Oceanside, Calif. Banks attended UCLA and was twice runner-up in the NCAA Championships. It was after college that he achieved his
greatest success, setting his first American record in 1981 by jumping 56’ 7 ¾” and improving that record six more times—by more than
2 feet—before he was through. A four-time AAU champion, Banks represented that U.S. in 18 international competitions and was a member
of the 1980 (boycotted), 1984 and 1988 Olympic teams. He captured a silver medal as a member of the U.S. team at the 1983 World
Championships and was also a member of the 1987 World Championship team. In 1985, Banks was the Track & Field News and U.S. Olympic
Committee Athlete of the Year.

After graduating from UCLA, Banks went on to the university’s law school. During this period, he became known as the “Bouncing
Barrister.” He popularized the triple jump by encouraging the crowd to clap as he prepared for his run-up and by engaging spectators
during a meet. Banks earned his B.A. and Juris Doctorate from UCLA.

Banks was inducted into the USA National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1999. He served as Chair of USA Track and Field’s Athlete
Advisory Committee and President of the US Olympians Association from 2005 to 2008.

During the Big Sky State Games Banks will also conduct the World Record Track & Field Camp on Friday, July 14 from 9:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. at Billings West High School Track. The Track & Field Camp features Banks, along with other former Olympians and elite
coaches: Michael Powell- two-time Olympic Silver Medalist (Long Jump), Dick Fosbury- Olympic Gold Medalist (High Jump), Tom Pukstys-
American Record Holder and two-time Olympian (Javelin) and Tom Hintanaus- two-time Olympian (Pole Vault).

The entry fee is $135.00 (includes camp and BSSG Track and Field registration). The coaches fee is $50.00 or is free if three or more of
a coaches athletes attend. Register at bigskygames.org under Track & Field.

Fun for the Whole Family

Festivities kick off with SOAKED, a crazy fun two mile water walk/run through and around Pioneer Park. Other happenings include a Fun
Fair, autographs with an Olympic athlete, food trucks, cash giveaway ($3200 total), sponsor booths, sport demonstrations, athlete t-shirt
pick up, souvenir sales, and other interactive events. It's truly a night for the whole family!

The Ceremony officially begins at 7:30pm. The program includes Parade of Athletes (walk in the parade and receive a commemorative State
Games gift), fun entertainment and interactive events, and the Men's and Women's Montana Mile (fastest milers in Montana), and
traditional torch lighting by an Olympic athlete.

Mark Your Calendar

Friday, July 14th

Gates Open at 5:30pm

Admission $5/Adult

FREE Children under 6

Parking is Limited

Soaked Fun Run

T-shirt Pickup

Admission and Tshirt Pickup

Don't Forget Your Ticket

Admissision is $5/Adult and FREE for children 6 and under. Particpating athletes are admitted for free with their Opening Ceremonies
ticket (postcard) mailed prior to the Games.

Particpating athletes can also use their entry ticket to pick up their commemorative t-shirts at Daylis Stadium during Opening
Ceremonies (between 5:30pm and 8:00pm) on Friday, July 14, or between 9:00am and 5:00pm on Saturday or Sunday. Don't forget to bring
your ticket and/or t-shirt claim letter (for teams), as you will not be able to pick up your t-shirts without it!